IT WAS the weekend for the south to party as hundreds of thousands of people indulged in Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Streets were awash with a sea of colourful bunting and village halls, parks and open spaces were packed with partygoers enjoying the fun filled four day break.

It was time for everyone to let their hair down and join together to mark the historic long weekend.

Even the scorching temperatures and sunshine held out until Monday afternoon when some villages were hit by rain and drizzle.

Children were decked out in red, white and blue, donning hats and waving flags and hundreds of roads were closed while people danced, ate and drank and enjoyed the carnival atmosphere.

It's been 25 years since the people of Hampshire last celebrated such a massive occasion, when they took to the streets in similar style to mark the Queen's Silver Jubilee.

But any doubt that the British people would not have marked the Golden Jubilee in such spectacular fashion proved unfounded.

Among the many events in Southampton was a four-day jamboree in Mayflower Park, which featured live music, a market, competitions and a fun fair.

In the Winchester area there was a children's parade and a steam train gala on the Watercress Line to mark the technological revolution of the past half century.

One of the highlights of the weekend in the New Forest was the Sway Jubilee Carnival.

There were guided tours of places of royal interest in Romsey and thousands flocked to the hugely popular Picnic on the Prom in Fareham.

SEE SOUTHERN DAILY ECHO ON 5 JUNE FOR A 28-PAGE GOLDEN JUBILEE STREET PARTY SUPPLEMENT. The Southern Daily Echo is available from newsagents and supermarkets across Hampshire or by going to: http://www.thisissouthampton.co.uk/hampshire/southampton/contact/subscription.html - to order online.